Post Your Memories of Paul and Sheila Wellstone Here

[AlFrankenFan]

Paul and Sheila made a huge impact on my life, and inspired me to participate in the political process. Seeing as October 25th marks the second anniversary of the plane crash that took their lives, I wanted to make a thread to honor them and what they did, and how they changed my life.

In 1999, at the age of nine, I had just sparked an interest in politics. My grandfather told me of the only politician he had ever known to be true to his word and convictions - Senator Paul Wellstone. I have never visited Minnesota, and I never got a chance to meet Senator Wellstone, but regardless, Paul Wellstone quickly became my hero and role model. He gave me hope about America's future and taught me that Washington didn't have to be for the rich, corrupt, and cynical politicians. He taught me that it was possible to make your dreams come true and never to stop fighting, and always to stand up and let your voice be heard. My favorite quote of his, among many, is:

"Politics is not about power. Politics is not about money. Politics is not about winning for the sake of winning. Politics is about the improvement of people's lives. It's about advancing the cause of peace and justice in our country and in our world. Politics is about doing well for people."

But as soon as he was introduced to me, he and his wonderful wife Sheila and daughter Marcia were gone. I had never been more devastated in my life, and none of my friends in California knew who he was, and could share in my pain. To have lost them was a tremendous blow to not just to his admirers in Minnesota and around the country, but to the future of Washington. I think of them every day and can't help but imagine how much more they had to accomplish.

These I wrote about two years ago:

A cold October morning
it was off to work as usual
on the campaign.

They took off through the beautiful
Minnesota sky;
Who would have known that flight
would cause the whole nation to cry?

We never saw you again
'Cept in pictures from the past;
Who gave permission to take your life?
No one had asked.

Now we mourn in sorrow
like we never have before;
They could take away your life
but never what you stand for!

* * *

Puts the lives of others ahead of his
Always voting your convictions
Underdog of the Senate
Living the words he speaks.

Well respected even by Republicans
Envied by God himself
Loves his family
Loves his country and its people
Still the king of progressive politics
Takes no person's opinion for granted
Open to all points of view
Never resentful, always thankful
Even in death, your life lives on.

And one I wrote about a month ago:

In a world of hate and fear -
Cynicism pouring down like rain;
Lived a Minnesotan who saw it all too clear,
And truly wished to stop the pain.

Advocate for Farmers,
Advocate for the Poor;
He striked with laborers and unions
when Most would have shown them the door.

One day they called him professor
The next he won the office for which he ran;
And he learned as Minnesota's student
to Stand Up for every voiceless man.

When Paul Wellstone left us,
The Senate lost its Soul;
From the Democratic Wing of the Democratic Party
Without him, we will never again be whole.

Rest in peace Senator. Rest in peace.

[JohnKleeb]

1. I have no specific memories of him in life but in death

Ain't that sad.

[Dickie Flatt]

2. It took Paul's death, unfortuantely, to get me involved in politics.

He was a great, great guy.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

3. I was a strong supporter of Paul Wellstone, both as a Senator....

and as a person. While I did not always agree with every policy he supported, I had and still have great respect for him. As a whole, I liked many of his policies. Paul had ONLY the best intentions for our Country as this was his goal when he entered politics many years ago.

Paul Wellstone usually found himself isolated from the his fellow Senators as he would be the sole vote either for or against an amendment or bill. My ideas and beliefs as to what can be done to improve our lives are unusual just as Paul's were. Now, "unusual" is a VERY GOOD THING. His ideas many times transcended the establishment, maybe he could have been a revolutionary, sadly, we will never know.

I find it difficult to speak about this. I remember October 25th, 2002 like is was yesterday. When I came home and my father told me the horrible news, I sat down at the computer and stared at the AP wire's story for an hour.

Sadly, that scumbag Norm Coleman came in to replace him and I hope to see someone as visionary and idealistic as Paul replace Mr. Coleman in the next election (2008). America needs someone who though outside of the box. The establishment has failed us and we need people who can both inspire us to do better, and help us achieve our goals, people who can help to facilitate a better World for all of us.

Paul Wellstone in irreplacable!

:)-

[MnFats]

4. I think this is a great story.....see what you think.

Some DUers may remember that several years ago -- a year or so before Paul and Sheila died, I think – there was a rally of the Klan and American Nazis on the steps of the state capitol in St. Paul.
(It should be noted that Paul's final opponent, Norm Coleman, then mayor of St. Paul, advised people to ignore the Klan and Nazis and stay away, which of course worked well in Germany in the 1930s...)
I'd never seen such a thing and wanted to see if they'd really show up in our state, which generally doesn't take kindly to that ilk.
There were maybe 50 or so people on the capitol steps, sure enough in their pointy-head and brownshirt costumes. Several hundred opponents, maybe 1,200, stood opposite a fence and row of state troopers and local cops and shouted them down. It was a diverse crowd...older peacenicks, hippies, lots of black people of every age, and more than a few anarchists and goth-type kids. The KKK/Nazis went through their normal rants, using every slur one can think of, while the crowd shouted at them and an occasional egg was tossed.
In the middle of this tumult, I turned to look down toward the end of the capitol mall because i heard ... singing....I saw a group of about two dozen black people, led by some of the Twin Cities civil rights activists, marching up to confront the Klan....I didn't see him right away because he was the shortest of the group, but he was the only white face. Right in front was Paul Wellstone, singing at the top of his lungs. He did not have the practiced voice of some of the preachers in the group but he made up for it with volume.
By the time they arrived they were singing an old gospel/civil rights song: "Ain't gon' let nobody, turn me round, turn me round, turn me round...." and pretty soon people in the crowd joined in....it got louder and louder, and you had goth kids and anarchists next to old longhairs and preachers singing down the KKK.
Paul launched into an impromptu shouting sermon-style talk:
"We won't go back! We know what the Klan is about! We'll fight them as long as it takes!"

God it was beautiful. Just beautiful.

[AlFrankenFan]

7. Absolutely beautiful

That's classic Paul...such a wonderful man. I can imagine that very well....definitely a wonderful story :hug:

[RFKHumphreyObama]

5. Paul and Sheila Wellstone were beacons of light and hope

for me during a time of darkness. Even though I live overseas, Wellstone was a person who enabled me to go to bed at night knowing there was still good in the world. I'm just sad that I learned the most about him after the tragic events of October 25th 2002

His legacy continues to inspire hope, legacy and goodness and the kindness, generosity and compassion that he showed during his lifetime will still live on in the hearts and minds of all those whose lives he touched

I miss you both Paul and Sheila

[UrbScotty]

6. As he said at a high school graduation

"Don't separate the lives you live from the words you speak. And yeah, it's going to be important that you make a good living. But do you know what's more important? That you make a good life."

[AlFrankenFan]

8. Another one of my favorite quotes of his

"We should never separate the lives we live from the words we speak."

:hug:

[AlFrankenFan]

9. kick

:kick:

[serryjw]

10. Paul & Sheila RIP you did your job well

You were love and respected by millions. Your conviction for the truth, your compassion for those whom had no voice will be dearly missed.I remember you well in life and mourn your passing in death. Fear not, your voice will resonate for many years to come to carry on your good work.
Namaste

[Krupskaya]

11. One of my favorite memories...

Was riding with him atop the Carpenters Union's semi truck in the 2000 Winter Carnival. He was having a bad-back day and could hardly get up there. He was so short we had him stand on the bench atop the truck. I helped hold him up and that's something I will never forget.

"Here, Senator, let me give you a hand," I said.

"<Krupskaya>, PLEASE! Call me PAUL!" he hollered as I helped him up.

At the end of the parade, we got to give him a ride home. We saw him many, many times and he never failed to greet my then-three-year-old son by name and with a hug.

Shameless blog plug! Here is the last time I saw him: http://editbarn.blogspot.com/2004/10/two-years-ago_20.html#comments

And then I attended the memorial 100 months pregnant. The next day, my daughter, Maia Paul, was born.

ETA: I miss them both so fucking much. It still makes me cry sometimes.
ETA: My VERY favorite memories are him at labor rallies. I will never, ever forget him standing there, waving his fists and yelling, "I'M THE LABOR SENATOR FROM MINNESOTA! I'M THE LABOR SENATOR FROM MINNESOTA! I'M THE LABOR SENATOR FROM MINNESOTA!" We unions lost a good friend.

[AlFrankenFan]

12. "I'm the labor senator from Minnesota!"

I can hear his passionate voice ringing through my mind. The world is not the same without him. :hug:

[Krupskaya]

13. Used to give me shivers.

*sigh*

[UrbScotty]

14. Paul's genuine human spirit reminds me of what it means to be a liberal.

"Some would give handshakes, Paul would give hugs," someone once said.

[AlFrankenFan]

15. One last kick

:kick:

[Krupskaya]

16. Two years ago,

...I cried myself to sleep. Wondered what a world without them would be like. It sucks.

[AlFrankenFan]

18. You're not alone

It was such a horrible day. I can't even really remember how my day at school was, but all I remember was coming home, turning on CNN Headline News 24/7, and seeing a report about his plane crash...of course I thought it was some kind of cruel joke, then lied down without a sound for a few hours, and crying myself to sleep later that night. I was in a depressed stupor for a month or so especially after Coleman was elected...and living in California, no one understood.

:hug:

[PopSixSquish]

17. That Was a Very Bad Day

The good Lord saw fit to call our Brother and Sister Paul and Shelia for reasons which pass our understanding. But wherever they are, they're still with us, telling us to "stand up and keep fighting"